Officials Say Washington Wildfire Was Human-Caused

Officials say a wildfire that has burned one home and torched nearly 6 square miles in southeastern Washington was likely human-caused.

Fire spokeswoman Sarah Foster says the cause is under investigation, though officials determined lightning was not the cause.

Nearly 1,000 firefighters and personell are attacking the fire from the ground and air. Foster says they’re using a lot of air resources, including eight helicopters and two air tankers, to cool the fire down so that ground crews can establish lines around the perimeter.

The fire was 5 percent contained as of Thursday morning, and fire officials are concerned about extremely hot and dry conditions.

It’s burning a mix of grass, shrubs and timber about nine miles east of Walla Walla near Blue Creek and Klicker Mountain.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Washington